THE number of crimes in Ilminster was 5% lower overall than the previous year.
PC Andy Stuart told the town’s annual meeting that thefts of motor vehicles were down 40%, non-home burglaries were down 36% and criminal damage was down 41%.
There were increases, most notably sexual offences, up 133%. Thefts from vehicles were up 60% and shoplifting rose by 16%.
PC Stuart told the meeting not to be alarmed by the increases – despite the high percentage increases, the numbers of incidents were low and the sharp rise was due to a change in how crimes were recorded.
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